Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4096
Telephone: (781) 338-3700
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370
July 27, 2011
Dr. John Doherty, Superintendent
Reading Public Schools
82 Oakland Road
Reading, MA 01867
Re: Mid-cycle Report
Dear Superintendent Doherty:
Enclosed is the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Mid-cycle Report
based on the onsite visit conducted in your district in March 16, 2011. During the MidCycle Review the Department monitored selected special education criteria to determine
your district’s compliance with special education laws and regulations. The review
consisted of information gathered from one or more of the following activities:
interviews, review of student records, examination of documentation, and classroom
observation(s).
The Department determined that one or more of the criteria monitored in your district
was “Partially Implemented” or “Not Implemented.” In all instances where
noncompliance was found, the Department has prescribed corrective action for the
district. This corrective action must be implemented as soon as possible, but in no case
later than a year from the date of this report. You will find these requirements for
corrective action included in the enclosed report, along with requirements for submitting
progress reports using the enclosed form.
Please provide the Department with your written assurance that all of the required
corrective action will be implemented by your district within the timelines specified in
the report. You must submit your statement of assurance to Darlene Lynch, Director,
Program Quality Assurance Services, by August 12, 2011.
1
Your staff's cooperation throughout this Mid-cycle Review is appreciated. If you have
questions about this letter or the enclosed report, please do not hesitate to contact Jane
Ewing at 781-338-3741.
Sincerely,
Jane Ewing, Mid-cycle Review Chairperson
Program Quality Assurance Services
Darlene A. Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
cc:
Mitchell D. Chester, Ed.D., Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary
Education
Dean Paolillo, Supervisor, Program Quality Assurance Services
Chris Caruso, Reading Public Schools School Committee Chairperson
Kim Oliveira, Local Program Review Coordinator, Reading Public Schools
Encs: Mid-cycle Report
Mid-cycle Progress Report Form
2
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REPORT
READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dates of the Mid-cycle Review Onsite: March 16, 2011
Date of this Report: July 27, 2011
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REPORT IS IN TWO SECTIONS.
Required Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
SE 7
Transfer of
parental
rights at age
of majority
and student
participation
and consent
at the age of
Criterion
Implemented


Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Document
Review
Interview
Student
Records
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The document review, interview
and student record review
confirmed that procedures were
developed to ensure compliance
regarding the notification to
parents and students before
students reach the age of majority.
Based on a review of submitted
documentation, the district’s age
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 1 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective
Action and
Timelines for Implementation
of majority policy aligns with
recent guidance issued by the
Department.
majority
SE 52A
Registration
of
educational
interpreters
Basis of Determination about
Criterion
Document
Review
Interview
The district contracts interpreters
through an agency registered with
the Massachusetts Commission for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 2 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Additional Special Education Criteria Monitored in this Mid-cycle Review
Current special education criteria available by scrolling down to the special education instrument at
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/review/cpr/default.html
Criterion
SE 2
Required and
Optional
Assessments
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
PI
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
Student
Records
Student records
indicated that the
district does not
always complete
all of the
components of
the required
education
assessments to
determine
eligibility for
special education.
In some
instances, the
district did not
gather assessment
data from
teachers with
current
Complete the missing education assessments
for individual students identified by the
Department. Reconvene the teams to discuss
the assessment results and determine whether
the students’ current IEPs are appropriate. The
Department recommends that the district
employ the recommended Educational Status
assessment forms that can be found at:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/28mr/28r1.doc
.
Develop an internal tracking system to ensure
that all of the components of the required
education assessments are conducted. The
tracking system should include supervisory
oversight and periodic reviews to ensure
compliance.
Provide the staff responsible for
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 3 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Provide copies
of the Notice
of the School
District
Proposal to
Act, and a
Meeting
Invitation as
evidence that
IEP Teams
reconvened to
review
assessment
results by
November 21,
2011.
Provide a
description of
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
knowledge
regarding the
student's specific
abilities in
relation to the
learning
standards of the
Massachusetts
Curriculum
Frameworks and
the district
curriculum.
Additionally, the
district does not
always conduct
an assessment of
the student's
attention skills,
participation
behaviors,
communication
skills, memory,
and social
relations with
groups, peers,
and adults.
implementation of the internal oversight and
tracking system with training on the
requirements of this standard.
Subsequent to the completion of all corrective
actions, conduct an internal review comprised
of student records with initial and
reevaluations from all school levels to ensure
that all components of the required education
assessment have been completed.
Please ensure that the sample of selected
records examine activities that occurred after
the district completed its corrective action
activities.
*Please note that when conducting internal
monitoring the district must maintain the
following documentation and make it
available to the Department upon request:
a) List of student names and grade level for
the record review; b) Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who conducted the
review, their roles(s), and their signature(s)
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 4 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the newly
developed
internal
tracking
system and
indicate the
person(s)
responsible for
it by
November 21,
2011.
Provide
evidence of
training.
Include the
agenda, signed
attendance
sheets
indicating the
title/role of the
staff attending
as well as the
name and title
of the
presenter by
November 21,
2011
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Submit the
results of the
review of
student
records.
Indicate the
number of
student records
reviewed, the
number of
student records
in compliance,
for all records
not in
compliance
with this
criterion,
determine the
root cause(s)
of the
noncompliance
and provide
the school’s
plan to remedy
the noncompliance.
Please submit
these results
by March 4,
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 5 of 17
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
2012
SE 3
Specific
Learning
Disability
PI
Student
Records
Student records
indicated that the
district does not
always include a
classroom
observation as
part of the
information when
considering
whether a student
may meet the
eligibility criteria
for specific
learning
disability.
Please develop an internal tracking and
oversight system to ensure that a classroom
observation is conducted when the student is
suspected of having a specific learning
disability. The tracking system should include
supervisory oversight and periodic reviews to
ensure compliance.
Please provide training to all special education
IEP Team chairpersons on the newly
developed tracking and oversight system.
Please conduct internal monitoring of a sample
of student records for evidence of observations
conducted as part of an SLD determination for
those students who were evaluated subsequent
to the district’s implementation of all
corrective actions.
*Please note that when conducting internal
monitoring the district must maintain the
following documentation and make it
available to the Department upon request:
a) List of student names and grade level for
the record review; b) Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who conducted the
review, their roles(s), and their signature(s)
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 6 of 17
Provide a
description of
the newly
developed
internal
tracking
system
including the
dates for
periodic
reviews and
indicate the
person(s)
responsible by
November 21,
2011.
Provide
evidence of
training for the
staff
responsible for
maintaining
the tracking
system.
Include the
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
agenda and
sign-in sheets
indicating the
title/role of the
staff attending
by November
21, 2011.
Submit a
report of the
results of the
internal review
of student
records.
Indicate the
number of
student records
reviewed, the
number of
student records
in compliance,
for all records
not in
compliance,
please identify
the root
cause(s) of the
noncompliance
and provide
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 7 of 17
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
the actions
taken to
remedy the
noncompliance.
Please submit
these results
by March 4,
2012.
SE 4
Assessment
Reports

Student
Records
Student records
indicate that
assessment
reports are
summarized in
educationally
relevant terms
and include
recommendations
on how to best
meet the needs of
the student.
SE 6
Transition
Services

Student
Records
The district
considers the
transition needs
of each student
on or before their
Interview
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 8 of 17
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
14th birthday and
documents the
discussion on the
Transition
Planning Form.
SE 8
Team
Composition
PI
Student
Records
Student records
indicate that the
district does not
always conduct
IEP Team
meetings with all
required
members,
specifically
general education
teachers.
Additionally, the
district’s
documentation of
IEP Team
excusals was
inconsistent.
Some records
showed that when
services providers
were excused, the
district’s
Attendance Sheet
Please review and revise the district’s
procedures on the excusal process for required
IEP Team members.
Please provide training to all special education
IEP Team Chairpersons on the revised
procedures.
Following the process revision and training of
staff, develop an internal oversight system to
ensure that 1) parents are notified and agree in
writing in advance of the IEP Team meeting to
excuse required IEP Team members; 2) the
excused required IEP Team members provide
written input for IEP development; 3) IEP
Team excusals are documented in the student
record.
Please conduct internal monitoring for a
sample of student records for Team meetings
conducted subsequent to the implementation of
all corrective actions for evidence that parents
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 9 of 17
Provide a
description of
the IEP Team
excusal
process,
internal
tracking
system and
indicate the
person(s)
responsible by
November 21,
2011.
Provide
evidence of
training for
staff on the
IEP Team
member
excusal
process.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(N3A) was
checked off to
indicate the
provider was
excused. In
other instances,
general education
teachers not in
attendance were
not marked as
excused on the
N3A. There was
no additional
documentation in
the records to
demonstrate
parent agreement
with either
circumstance or
evidence of a
written report
from the excused
Team member.
excuse required Team members in writing
prior to Team meetings, which Team members
have submitted input in writing, and that
documentation of the parent’s excusal and
Team members input are included in the
student record. Include records from
elementary, middle, and high school Team
meetings.
*Please note that when conducting internal
monitoring the district must maintain the
following documentation and make it
available to the Department upon request:
a) List of student names and grade level for
the record review; b) Date of the review; c)
Name of person(s) who conducted the
review, their roles(s), and their signature(s)
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 10 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Include agenda
and sign-in
sheets
indicating the
title/role of the
staff attending
as evidence
that training
was
conducted.
This progress
report is due
by November
21, 2011.
Please submit
a report of the
results of the
internal
monitoring
conducted.
Submit a
report of the
results of the
internal review
of student
records.
Indicate the
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
number of
student records
reviewed, the
number of
student records
in compliance,
for all records
not in
compliance,
please identify
the root
cause(s) of the
noncompliance
and provide
the actions
taken to
remedy the
noncompliance.
Please submit
these results
by March 4,
2012.
SE 9A
Elements of
Eligibility
Determination
PI
Student
Records
Interview
According to
student records
and interviews,
the district has
Please see ESE comments for SE 2.
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 11 of 17
Please see SE
2.
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
discontinued the
practice of
foregoing
comprehensive
initial evaluations
for pre-school
students who
need related
services. The
district now
proposes
evaluations in all
areas of the
suspected
disability within
five days of
receipt of the
parents’ request.
Record review
also demonstrated
that the district
does not routinely
ensure that
teachers submit
as part of the
required
education
assessment for KReading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 12 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
12 students’
information
concerning the
student's attention
skills,
participation
behaviors,
communication
skills, memory,
and social
relations. For
additional
information,
Please see SE 2
regarding the
required
assessments.
SE 14
Review and
Revision of
IEP’s

Student
Records
Student records
indicate that the
district conducts
a review of the
student’s IEP to
consider the
student’s progress
and to review,
revise, or develop
a new IEP on or
before the
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 13 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
anniversary date
of the IEP.
SE 18A
IEP
Development
and Content

Student
Records
Student records
indicate that the
district
consistently
develops an IEP
at the IEP Team
meeting that
addresses the
elements of the
most current IEP
format.
SE 24
Notice of
Proposal

Student
Records
Student record
and staff
interviews
indicate that
when a preschool
student is referred
to special
education for an
evaluation to
determine
eligibility, the
district provides
the parents with a
written notice
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 14 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
within five days
of receipt of
referral.
SE 29
Communications
in English and in
the Primary
Language of the
Home

Student
Records
Student records
indicate that the
district provides
oral and written
communication to
parents when
their primary
language is other
than English.
SE 32
Parent Advisory
Council

Interviews
Interviews with
the Special
Education
director and PAC
representative
demonstrated that
the district has a
functional council
that is compliant
with regulatory
requirements.
SE 34
Continuum of
Services

Document
Review
Documentation
and interview
data indicated
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 15 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
Interview
that, in addition
to academic
support from the
program’s fulltime teacher and
paraprofessional,
a school
psychologist and
behavioral health
coordinator also
provide support
to students.
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
The district has
recently
evaluated this
program using
student IEPs and
observation data.
As a result,
structural changes
to the program
will take place
during the 20112012 school year
to ensure
consistent and
appropriate
services to high
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 16 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
Criterion
Criterion
Implemented

Criterion
Partially
Implemented
(PI) or Not
Implemented
(NI)
Method(s) of
Investigation
Basis of
Determination
about Criterion
If Partially Implemented or Not
Implemented:
(a) Required Corrective Action and
Timelines for Implementation
school students
with socialemotional needs.
SE 43
Behavioral
Interventions

Student
Records
Student records
indicate that the
district considers
the use of
positive
behavioral
interventions and
supports when a
student’s
behavior is
impeding their
learning or the
learning of
others.
SE 51
Appropriate
Special
Education
Teacher
Licensure

Document
Review
A review of
documentation
indicates that all
special education
teachers
employed by the
district hold
appropriate
licensure.
Reading Public Schools Coordinated Program Review Mid-cycle Report
July 27, 2011
Page 17 of 17
(b) Progress
Report Due
Date(s) and
Required
Elements
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
MID-CYCLE REVIEW
School District: READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS
M I D – CY C L E P R O G R E S S R E P O R T
Date Prepared: ____________________________________
Prepared by: __________________________________________________________________
(name and title)
Criterion: _______________________
Topic: ________________________________________________________________________
For each criterion for which you prepare a progress report, please



make a copy of this cover page,
fill in the information requested above, and
attach a complete description of the corrective action taken and any accompanying documentation.
(Description of corrective action for each criterion and any accompanying documentation should include all of the
“Progress Report Required Elements” for that criterion in the Mid-cycle Report.)
Send the whole set of completed progress reports to:
Darlene Lynch, Director
Program Quality Assurance Services
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148-4906
Rev. 12-10
Mid-cycle Report & Cover Letter with Mid-cycle PR Form 2011